link to Talbot Project home page link to De Montfort University home page link to Glasgow University home page
Project Director: Professor Larry J Schaaf
 

Back to the letter search >

Document number: 07067
Date: Mon 27 Nov 1854
Harold White: 27 Nov 1854
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: STORY-MASKELYNE Nevil
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA54-61
Last updated: 18th February 2012

Ashmolean Museum <1>
Monday Night –

My dear Mr Talbot

I return you your notes <2> a little altered – more verbally than in the sense.

I wish however to make a picture if I can by means of Gallic acid. This would be a triumphant proof of what at present I am not quite prepared to be positive about and I must therefore ask you to hold this point in abeyance for a little while – That it has an action there is no doubt –

I believe myself that it is probable there is a molecule common to Gallic & Pyrogallic acid <3> which is the active agent. But of this I am not prepared to offer proof except from analogy, drawn from other Chemical considerations.

I do not know if you want an opinion on any other points connected with the question. Let me know if you do. I had rather not go to Town just at present if I could help it. But I will obey your summons if you find it necessary.

Believe me Yours very truly
Nevil Story Maskelyne


Notes:

1. Story-Maskelyne lectured on mineralogy and chemistry at the University of Oxford, and had a laboratory in the lower part of the museum building.

2. See Doc. No: 07059 and Doc. No: 07066.

3. Part of Talbot’s case [against professional portrait-photographers who he claimed were infringing his photographic patents] rested upon the contention that as gallic acid and pyrogallic acid, though not identical substances, had an identical effect, the collodion process was a development of his Calotype process and was therefore covered by his patents. It was Rev Joseph Bancroft Reade (1801–1870), microscopist & photographer who first applied gallic acid, a tanning agent, to paper; during the trial to he claimed to have invented the Calotype process. [For a detailed account of this, see H.J.P. Arnold, William Henry Fox Talbot: Pioneer of photography and man of science (London: Hutchinson Benham, 1977, pp. 203–205.]